Aoife Farrell
Counsellor/Psychotherapist located in Longford/OnlineTraining and Accreditation:
- Fully accredited member of Irish Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (MIACP).
- BA Honours Degree in Psychology from National University of Ireland Maynooth (NUIM/Maynooth University).
- Diploma in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy from ZestLife College.
As a therapist, I am an eternal student where there is no end to learning and personal development. Some areas I am particularly interested in are:
- Cyclic wisdom – understanding how our cycles (e.g. circadian/daily/weekly/monthly cycles, seasonal, menstrual, lunar, archetypes) impact our mood, emotions, energies and working with our natural cycles instead of against them.
- Mindfulness – how developing awareness, befriending our experiences and emotions, being present to what is without judgment can enrich our life, even through our suffering and difficulties.
- Spiritual/personal growth/development – the inner awakening of becoming conscious and reclaiming who you really are.
- Psychosomatic – how our body stores emotional experiences and speaks our pain when we verbally may not be able to.
Some other more formal additional training (CPD) I have gained include:
- The Applications of Attachment Theory to Psychotherapy – Confer.
- Creative & Reflective Writing Group for Therapists – Nozomi Counselling & Psychotherapy
- An Introduction to Theory & Practice of Compassion Focused Therapy with Chris Irons and Shelley Kerr – The Compassionate Mind Foundation UK.
- Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
- Communicating in Challenging Circumstances Loss and Grief (The Irish Hospice).
My Approach:
- I guide and support people on a journey of self discovery and self acceptance.
- I hold space for individuals to turn towards, understand and accept their emotions and experiences so that they can develop a better relationship with themselves.
- I offer a safe container for people to be seen and heard as they begin to reclaim and re–emerge as their true selves. A space to be you.
- I offer people ways to better understand themselves so that they can develop self compassion and self awareness.
- I validate people to own their experiences so that they can feel and process emotions and experiences that they may feel stuck in or struggle to understand.
- I offer space, honesty, care while also guidance, wisdom in how to navigate difficulties.
Therapeutic approach:
- My main therapeutic approach is Humanistic Integrative.
- How I work from my Humanistic approach is:
- I see people as human first before they are any label, diagnosis, identity. I see people as a whole unique individual as opposed to just a label or a diagnosis.
- I hold a space for people to speak their truth so that they can step into their authentic selves.
- I support your development of self-acceptance by offering a safe space to work toward personal growth.
- I offer people a space to express what is often unexpressed.
Regardless of modalities, I feel that at the core of my approach:
I care deeply about the well-being of others and am passionate about helping people.
I really enjoy connecting and engaging with people on a deeper, real, authentic and human level.
I truly admire those who make the difficult and courageous step to seek help. With this in mind, I aim to ensure that you feel as comfortable as possible and work together at a pace that suits you.I aim to empower clients on their journey with an emphasis on exploring and validating their difficulties, where some difficulties may have never been accepted or recognised before.
No issue is too big or too small. I support each person to gain awareness and to better understand their experiences.
My approach is non-judgmental, empathic and compassionate.
My approach to Integrative refers to:
Not “one size fits all”. With this in mind, I use several different therapeutic modalities collaboratively with each person to explore what best suits your needs. Some of these approaches include Person Centred, Holistic, Psychodynamic, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), and Mindfulness.
Personal Areas of Interest:
On a personal level, some of my interests include
- Being in nature (especially near water, forests and beaches)
- Yoga
- Mindfulness
- Reading
- Self reflection
- Animals (especially dogs and bird watching) to name a few.I enjoy the little things in life and try to slow down and be present with my experience.
Professional Experience and Areas of Interest:
Outside of the counselling room, I have worked in many areas such as
- Jigsaw (Centre for Young People’s Mental Health)
- Alzheimer’s Society
- Home Tutor to children with Autism (ASD)
- Teaching English in Spain
- Working for my family’s business. I feel that each of these areas have taught me different lessons and insights which have contributed to myself both personally and professionally as a therapist.
I work in various areas including but not limited
- Anxiety
- Personal/Spiritual Growth Development
- Young adult/youth issues
- Relationship/friendship difficulties
- Life transitions
- Panic
- Low mood/Depression
- Self-esteem
- Stress/worry
- Bereavement/loss/grief
- Sexuality
My work may be for you if you are:
- Interested in developing the relationship you have with yourself.
- Searching for a safe container to emerge as you, especially those parts of you that have never been seen, heard, expressed or validated before.
- Longing for a different way to live life and to be supported, held and guided on that journey.
- Wanting to understand yourself (your emotions, behaviours, experiences) better.
Some other useful points about how I work:
- My preferred approach is longer term psychotherapy (e.g. anything beyond 8 sessions) as opposed to a shorter term counselling (e.g. less than 8 sessions).
- My preference is face to face/in person session. However, I also do some online sessions through Zoom.